History of Myanmar Railways

The history of Myanmar Railways dates back to the colonial era of Burma. The idea of introducing a Railway transport system in Myanmar germinated in the year 1880. The British rulers planned a railway route between Phitsanoluk in northern Thailand (erstwhile Kingdom of Siam) and Moulmein in Burma. Unfortunately, the idea ended in fiasco for dearth of funds for the project.

Then in early 1939, when the Japanese forces gained control over entire South East Asia, they took initiative for building the railway link. Their sole intention was to use the railway as supply line for transporting army and war equipments to the Burmese front with the secret motive of invading India.